Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son(1988) by Iron Maiden

Iron Maiden's seventh studio album and fourth album with the same band members.

This is the first of Iron Maiden's many concept albums. This means that all of the tracks are based off a certain concept or idea. In this case, it's based on a novel about a boy who has magical powers and is exiled by his village for being different but then later helps them out. Or at least that's what I've heard. I'm not really sure.

The supposed novel this albums is based on.

The music isn't as technically impressive as it's predecessors but still does it's job well. The guitars are still good but with less memorable rifts than the prior albums. The drums and vocals are impressive but like the guitars, are not on par with previous efforts.

The album is a departure from previous albums due to the addition of a key board. The key board gives this album a unique atmosphere that no other Iron Maiden album possesses. This may just be me, but it sounds very cold. I know, How can something sound cold? Well it's just something you'll have to experience for your selves.

Moonchild – Iron Maiden

So does the songwriting suffer at all from this being a concept album? Well, yes it does. Because of this being a concept album, the subject matter has to be relatively the same. So, Steve Harris and crew, have less freedom when writing songs. It's not that it isn't good, just don't expect it to be as well written as something like Piece Of Mind or Powerslave. For example:

Can I Play With Madness – Iron Maiden

This album is a step down in quality from it's predecessors but when your on the top of the staircase to start off, going down a step isn't so bad. The stand out tracks in my opinion are: “Infinite Dreams”, “The Evil That Men Do”, “The Clairvoyant” and “Only The Good Die Young”. The others hold their own but are ultimately forgettable.

The Evil That Men Do – Iron Maiden

The Clairvoyant – Iron Maiden

(One of the more inspirational sounding songs by iron maiden)

Infinite Dreams – Iron Maiden

So, is the album worth getting? Hell yea! It may not be as good as good as albums like Number Of The Beast, but it's still damn good and worth a purchase.

I'll give it an 8/10

Lets end with arguably the truest statement evar. Also the best song in the album.

Only The Good Die Young - Iron Maiden

Well this album was Iron Maiden's last album in the Eighties, capping off a string of consistent greatness. Would the nineties be as kind to Iron Maiden? Find out next time when I review No Prayer For The Dying.

Thanks for reading!

UP THE IRONS!!

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Just another opinionated asshole with a perennial hard-on for all things dealing with Heavy Metal, Video Games, and Anime. I write about pretty much anything I'm inspired to with no particular rhyme or reason.